Foundation For The Carolinas announced the return of the community forums sponsored by the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation on Oct. 24 as part of a national initiative to bring people together in conversations around issues that matter most to them. FFTC is one of 10 community foundations across the U.S. participating in On the Table, which started as an initiative by the Chicago Community Trust in 2014.

“On the Table CLT offers an exciting opportunity to connect deeply across our Carolina footprint, promoting trust, encouraging humility and openness to differing opinions, and extending beyond our traditional partnerships for meaningful engagement,” FFTC Executive Vice President Brian Collier said. More than 5,000 people participated in the inaugural On The Table CLT, which is designed to expand community engagement through civic dialogue. This year’s gatherings will be informed by the Leading On Opportunity initiative, which organizers anticipate will reach 25 percent more participants.

Social capital, highlighted as a factor for success in the Leading On Opportunity report, was last year’s organizing principle. Participants were asked to rate last year’s forums in a survey and the results revealed affordable housing, education, gentrification and segregation as the leading local concerns. The report can be read at www.onthetableclt.org.

“This year, Foundation For The Carolinas seeks to create dynamic community change by examining individual accountability in Charlotte,” Collier said.